Wallace to again face Wiedower

Jonathan Wallace says he will be a candidate for the House District 119 seat now held by Republican Marcus Wiedower: Wiedower beat Wallace in the 2018 election after Wallace won a special election, beating Wiedower in 2017.

Another Republican who represents Athens in the Georgia House is also facing an election year challenge: Democrat Mokah Johnson says she will take on state Rep Houston Gaines in House District 117.

State lawmakers say they are close to a deal to tighten tax collections on online sales in Georgia. The measure aims to ensure that companies providing online marketplaces to third-party sellers collect taxes on sales to Georgia residents.

Governor Brian Kemp outlined his budget priorities in Thursday’s speech to a joint session of the Georgia House and Senate, laying out plans for an overhaul of the state’s foster care and child adoption system. Kemp also told lawmakers he’s putting money in his budget blueprint for another $2,000 in teacher pay raises.